Pattern mechanism for knitting machines



June 19, 1928. 1,674,532

- M. STERNBERG ET Ag PATTERN MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed June 18, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 fmmm- June 19, 1928. 1,674,532

M. STERNBERG ET AL PATTERN MECHANISM FOR, KNITTING MACHINES Filed June 18, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 [fa/r0 fik rn/ erg, Emriffiager? June 19, 1928.

M. STERNBERG ET AL PATTERN MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Fileq June 18, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 June 19, 1928.

M. STERNBERG ET AL PATTERN MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet Filed June 18, 1926 Patented June 19, 1928.-

UNITED STATES 1,674,532 PATENT OFFICE.

MARC STERNBERG AND EMIL J. BERGER, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, as; SIGNORS TO SAID STERNBERG.

PATTERN MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES.

I Application filed June 18,

Our invention relates to pattern mechanism for knitting machines, and more articularly to knitting machines of the straight or flat type, upon which full fashioned hosiery is formed.

'e propose to employ this type of niachine to "produce knitted neckwear having a design for) ed in such a manner that when the tie is being worn the design on each of the free ends will extend in the same direction, and not in opposite directions as those manufactured at the present time by the existing devices employed in forming a design on knitted neckwear. By employment of our invention. any desired form of design may be knit into the article being knitted, and may appear in\the form of transferred stitches upon a p ain knit background, whereby the design appears as being raised thereon, or the design may be formed of plain stitches and the surrounding background raisedtas desired.

It will be understood that our invention is applicable to these machines when knitting hosiery equally as well as when knitting neckwea'r, and our invention is hereinafter described as pertaining. to the knitting of neckwear, for the sole purpose of describing the manner in which the designs on the opposite ends of a tie are produced so that when the tie is being worn the designs extend in the same general direction.

Machines of this type are provided with a plurality of knitting heads operated in synchronism, whereby a number of articles may be formed at one and the same time. Each knitting head comprises the usual bank of needles. thread guides and bars, sinkers a nd strippers for the formation of courses of stitches and with the usual transfer or narrowing bars and points for transferring desired stitches from needle to needle, in the ,usual manner. i

Our invention comprises an attachment for, and adapted to co-operate with, each knitting head whereby a. plurality of diftierently designed neck ties may be produced at one time on a single multi-head machine. In accordance with the principles of our invention, the narrowing bars are provided with a transfer point for each needle in the bank and mechanism is included in our attachment for pressing desired transfer points to relatively inactive positions when a design is being formed.

1926. Serial No. 116,918.

In order to adapt the machine for forming a design at any desired oint on the fabme being knitted, we so ad]ust the machine that it will knit a course of stitches and thereafter function to transfer any of these stitches which may be desired, to the ad'acent needles and by providing means or selectively transferring'the stitches any desired pattern may be formedin the fabric being knitted.

When directional designs are to be formed i. e. an arrow or a fleur-de-lis pointing toward the neck encircling portion of the tie, it is desirable to have that. class of design pointing in the same direction on each end of the tie, and for this purpose our selecting means is adapted to move in either direction and mechanism is provided for moving the selecting means in one direction for a desired number of courses, and thereafter reversing the direction of travel of the se- Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the attachment showing a portion of the machine proper as drawn in section taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; I

Figs. 4 and 4 constitute a sectional elevation taken along the line 44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 illustrates, in perspective, a detail of our. invention; and

Fig. 6 illustrates a neck tie havinga single directional design at each end.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, the main frame of a flat knitting machine is illustrated at 1, which includes a longitudinally extending bed plate 2. The needles are indicated at 3 as being secured in a needle bar 4, operable in the usual manner from a main longitudinally extending cam shaft 5. The narrowing bars are indicated at 6, being slidably mounted in heads 7 of lifting bars 8 which are pivoted at their upper ends to levers 9 which are pivoted at 10 to the main frame of the machine. The lifting bars 8 are pivoted at their lower ends to levers 11, pivotally mounted on the frame 1, and having rollers 12 en aging cams 13 secured to the shaft where y the narrowing bars 6 are raised an lowered in the usual manner to cause the transfer points 14, which are secured thereto, to engage the needles 3, for transferring the stitches from one needle to another, the shogging of the narrowing bars being accomplished in the usual manner by mechanism (not shown) forming no part of the present invention.

The needle bars 4 are secured to levers 15 pivoted at 16' to bell-crank levers 17 pivoted on the frame 1, and having rollers 18 engaging cams 19 on the shaft 5, whereby the needles 3 are raised and lowered. Transverse movement of the needle bars 4 is accomplished by cams 20 on the shaft 5, engaging rollers 21 on levers 22 pivoted to the frame 1 and having links 22 pivotedthereto and to the levers 15. When the cams 19 and 20 are operating to form stitches the rollers 12 of the narrowing mechanism are riding on plain concentric wheels 23 and the narrowing mechanism is idle. When the narrowing mechanism is operating by means of the rollers 12 engaging the cams 13, the rollers 21 of the stitch forming mechanism are riding on similar concentric wheels 23 and the needle bars thereby receive no transverse movement, but

are merely raised and lowered 1n synchronism with the transfer points 14 for effecting transfer of the stitches, longitudinal shogging of the narrowing bars being effected at this time. The cam shaft 5 is adapted to be, 1

shogged longitudinally by mechanism (not shown) forming no part of the present invention, for effecting the change over from knitting to transferring and woe versa, b'y mechanism forming no part of the present invention. The usual sinkers 24 and strip ping bits 25 are employed in the usual manner when knittin and transferring.

As above state a transfer point 14 is provided for each needle 3 and our invention resides in mechanism hereinafter described which is adapted to selectively press certain desired transfer points to an inactive position when the narrowing or transfer bar 6' is lowered, the remaining transfer points engaging the stitches on the needles aligned with the active transfer points, for subse quent transfer of said stitches, whereby a design of desired characterwill be formed in the fabricbeing knitted.

Our invention comprises a frame secured to the lowermost transfer bar 6, by means of screws '31, in the present instance. Lugs 32 are provided on the frame 30 for supporting a' spindle 33 on which is pivotally mounted a series of resser fingers 34, each finger being adapte to engage selectively, and operate one of the transfer points 14, a finger 34 beingprovided for each of said points.

The selecting mechanism comprises a series of plates 35 connected by means of links 36 to form a pattern chain. Each plate 35 is provided at its opposite longitudinal edges.

with a series of notches 37, each aligned pair of notches on the opposite edges of each plate being adapted to receive an end 38 of a re cylinder 43 of hexagonal form in the pres-- ent instance.

Upright brackets 44, 44 are secured at their lower ends to the frame 30, and vare connected at their upper ends by longitudinal bars 45, 45 and 46.- The roller 42 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 47 journaled in side plates 48 adapted to slide on each of the brackets 44. The side plates 48, 48

are connected by a bar 49 at the centre of which is connected one end. of a spring 50, the opposite end of which is secured to one end of an adjusting screw 51 which passes through the bar 46 and is provided with a nut 52 on the upper side thereof, by means of which the pattern chain is maintained in a taut condition.

Theoperating cylinder 43 is provided at each end with an extended trunnion 52 and 53 respectively, whichis journaled in a bearing 54 secured to, and extending outwardly from, the frame 30. p

Aligning studs 55, 55 are provided in each flat face of the hexagonal cylinder 43, and are adapted to enter apertures 56. 56 in the opposite ends of each of the pattern plates 35 whereby the staples 39 are aligned with the fingers 34.

Rotation of the operating cylinder 43 is accomplished by means of a pawl and ratchet mechanism illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. Each of the trunnions 52, 53 has secured thereto adjacent its outer end a three point ratchet wheel 57 and 58 respectively. Pawls 59 and 60 are adapted to co-operate respectively with the ratchet wheels 57 and 58.

Each of the pawls 59 and 6-0 are pivoted in a yoke element 61 having a shank 62 adapted to an aperture in a sliding head 63, being secured therein by a! set screw 64. Auxiliary fixed pawls 65 and 66 are secured in the head 63 immediately opposite the pawls 59 and 60 respectively.

It will be understood that the transfer bar 6 is lowered to cause the transfer points 14 to pick the stitches from the needles 3,

in the usual manner, it is then raised and shogged longitudinally to align the points,

movable projection 39, which in the present 5 Inn carrying the picked stitches, with the needles adjacent to those from which the stitches were picked. The transfer bar 6 and the points 14 are again lowered to place the picked stitches on the desired needles. These two operations of the transfer points may be termed the picking cycle and the planting cycle of the transfer operation.

On the down stroke of the picking cycle the fixed pawl 66 will engage the tooth 58 of the ratchet wheel 58, after the points 14 have passed the stitch space. between the bottom of the sinkers 24 and the top of the stripping bits 25, and those destined to pick stitches have secured their respective stitches and those destined to miss stitches are outside the stitches on the needle aligned with these points. Continued downward movement will turn the wheel sufliciently to bring the tooth 58 thereof under the hook of the pawl 60, this movement being suflicient to move the staples clear of the fingers, per' mitting the fingers to return to their inactive positions when the bar 6 and the points 14 are raised to transfer the stitches. It will beunderstood that the ends of fingers lie between the respective needles and their co-operating aligned transfer points when these transfer points are pressed to inactive positions by the fingers.

When the bar 6 and points .14 ascend after pickingvthe desired stitches the amount of upward movement is not sufficient to cause the pawl '60 to engage the tooth 58 of the ratchet wheel 58, therefore, no additional rotation of the cylinder 43 is effected. Shogging of the points 14 is effected at this time, whereafter the points are lowered, on the down stroke of the planting cycle of the transfer operations The picked stitches at this time are planted or placed on the needies, the sinkers move outwardly to retain the stitches on the needles as the points begin the up stroke of the planting cycle. As the up stroke of the planting cycle pro resses, the pawl 60 engages the tooth 58 an turns the wheel 58 until said tooth is moved to the position illustrated at 58, Fig. 3. a

The above described rotation of the wheel 58 causes the cylinder 43 to be moved in the direction of the arrow (Fig. 4) thereby bringing the next staple laden; pattern bar 35 into the position shown in Fig. 4, whereby the staples 39 thereon have engaged thedcsired fingers 34, thereby flexing the cooperating points 14 into their inactive positions. By this method the selection for the next down stroke of the picking cycle is elfected. It will be understood that alternate bars 35 are not provided with selecting staples.

The above transfer operations are alternated with the stitch forming operations of the machine, one for one in the present instance, or they may be distributed in any 'with'the ratchet wheel 57.

neck band of a series of courses of plain stitches, and if the design is of a directional nature, as above noted, the direction of movement of the pattern cylinder 43 and the pattern chain will be reversed to that. indi:

cated by the arrow in Fig. 4, but the general operation of the elements is otherwise the same as described, for knitting the opposite end of the tie.

For reversing the direction of travel of the pattern cylinder 43 and the pattern chain, the relative positions of the pawls 59 and 60 are altered with respect to their associated ratchet wheels 57 and 58 respectively, by sliding the head 63 longitudinally in a bracket 70 which is secured to the bed plate 2 and is provided with a guideway 71 for the reception of the head (53, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, thus, the pawls 60 and 66 are moved out of co-operative alignment with the ratchet wheel 58 and the pawls 59 and 65 are moved into co-ope'rative alignment Upon operating. the machine in the general manner above described, the direction of'the pattern chain is reversed and the designs on each end of the tie bear the same neck band thereof.

.It will be noted that the pawls 59 and 60 are each provided with a bearing point 72 general relation to the adapted to engage the base of the slot in the bearing yokes 61, the bearing points being held in position by springs 73, as illustrated in Fig. 3.

It will also be noted that the fingers 34 are each provided with a slot 75 which forms a resilient tongue 7 6 adapted to be engaged by the selector staples 39, to-prevent binding between these elements, and still insure positlve and firm co-operation therebetween. A

limiting bar 77 is provided for the fingers 34 in order that the fin-gerswill be maintained in the proper position to be engaged by the selector staples 39.

' It will be further noted that the ratchet wheels 57 and 58 are placed upon the opposite ends of the trunnions 52 and 53, and act in the form of shaft couplings between the ad acent pattern units, the 'wheel 57 having apertures 78 forthe reception of pins 79 on the wheel 58.

The pattern chain, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and as stated above comprises patern plates 35 connected by links 36, each plate having a slot 80 extending longitudinally inward from its opposite ends, each slot 80 being intercepted b a transversely extending slot 81, whereby pockets are formed for the reception of the links 36, thereby providing a chain in which the number of pattern plates may be easily and quickly changed, or the relative positions of the various plates may be changed with equal efficiency.

From the above description, it willbe apparent that we are enabled to produce a fabric by means of comparatively inexpensive mechanism, easily applied to a regular fiat knitting machine, of the same general character that could only be produced on machines especially equipped with jacquard mechanism, which is extremely expensive, a fact generally known to those familiar with the art.

We claim:

1. In pattern mechanism for a knitting machine which comprises a fixed frame, a series of needles, a movable stitch transferring bar, and a series of stitch transfer points on said bar, the combination of selectively controlled fingers on said bar and adapted toco-operate with desired needles of the series and their respective transfer points to prevent co-operative engagement therebetween, an endless pattern chain for moving said fingers into their co-operating positions, a pattern cylinder, rotatably mounted on said 'bar adapted to receive the lower loop of said pattern chain; a supporting roller for the upper loop of said chain; a sliding frame for said upper roller; brackets on said stitch transfer bar on which said frame slides; and a spring secured to the sliding frame at one end and adjustably secured to the brackets at its opposite end.

2. In pattern mechanism for a knitting machine having a series of needles and a series of transfer bars; a series of transfer points comprising substantially a transfer point for and operatively aligned with each of the said needles, the entire series of transfer points being rigidly secured to a single bar of the series of transfer bars, a frame adapted to be rigidly secured to said single "transfer bar, a series of fingers pivotally mounted on said frame adaptedto "engage the respective transfer points of the series adjacent their needle engaging ends, andmeans on said frame for selectively moving the fingers into contact with said transfer points whereby the said engaged transfer points are flexed out of their operative alignment with the respective needles.

3. In pattern mechanism for a knitting machine having a series of needles and a series of transfer bars; a series of transfer points whereby the said engaged transfer points are flexed out of their operative alignment with the respective needles, comprising a pattern cylinder rotatably mounted on said frame and having selectively removable projections adapted to engage said fingers, and means .for rotating said cylinder in opposite directions alternately.

4. In pattern mechanism for a knitting machine having a series of needles and a series of 'transfer bars; a series of transferpoints comprising substantially a transfer point for and operatively aligned with each of the said needles. the entire series of transfer points being rigidly secured to a single. bar of .the series of transfer bars, a frame adaptedto be rigidly secured to said single transfer bar, a. series of fingers pivotally s mounted on said frame adapted to engage the respective transfer points of the series adjacent their needle engaging ends. and means on said frame for selectively moving the fingers into contact with said transfer points whereby the said engaged transfer points are flexed out of their operative alignment with the respective needles, comprising a shaft rotatably mounted in said frame, a cylinder secured to said shaft, a pattern chain carried by said cylinder and having selectively removable projections thereon for engaging said fingers; a pair of ratchet wheels on said shaft having their teeth disposed in opposite directions; a pair of pawls adapted to cooperate with said ratchet wheels for turning said shaft in opposite directions; and a head for carrying said pawls slidably mounted on the bed of said machine for movement parallel to said shaft whereby but one of said pawls is in operative alignment with its respective ratchet wheel at any one time.

MARC STERNBERG. EMIL J. BERGER. 

